Unfinished square footage such as garages, porches, decks, attics, bonus rooms, courtyards, and driveways are typically not included as part of the total heated living space of a plan. A basement is not included in the finished total square footage unless the basement is finished. A 3-season porch is not considered finished square footage because it is not heated and cooled space.

Total heated square footage is not the same as the total heated floor space. Typically the total heated square footage is calculated by using the dimensions starting from the outside studs of the home’s exterior. The heated square footage doesn’t include exterior wall coverings such as brick, stucco or siding. The square footage does include space that is taken up by walls.

Cantilevered floor sections also affect the total heated square footage. A cantilevered room such as a bay window is counted as finished square footage if the floor joists are part of the cantilever. If a cantilevered space does not include floor space, then the cantilevered area is not counted as part of the square footage. If a fireplace cantilevers then the square footage of the cantilever is counted as finished square footage on the floor that has the fireplace but not on other floors.

For stairways in a two-story home plan, usually the space occupied by the staircase is counted once when calculating total square footages. However a few house designers or homebuilders consider a stairway transitional space and sometimes count it as square footage on both floors (call to verify if the home plan you are interested in is calculated this way).

If you are comparing two home plans that have the “same” total finished square footage you may want to remember that the wall space is part of the square footage. For example, if you see a one-story house that has the same finished square footage as a two-story house, then the one story house will actually have more interior space. This is because the two-story house has another floor of exterior walls that are considered part of its total square footage. Also a two-story house needs more space for hallways and stairways and the useable square footage of a two-story house is usually less when compared to a one-story house that has the same total square footage.

Square footage needed for the marketing of new single-family dwellings. 

The competition among residential homebuilders is very keen, and it is in their interest that they and their competitors use a uniform method of computing floor areas in their advertising and marketing. 

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed a standard method for calculating floor areas in single-family dwellings, “Square Footage – Method for Calculating,” ANSI Z765-2003. Copies may be purchased from National Association of Home Building, Research Center, 400 Prince George’s Boulevard, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774. This standard is not suitable for use in apartment buildings or multiple family dwellings. 

The National Association of Home Builders has supported this voluntary standard among its members since its inception in 1996. The second edition was promulgated in 2003. Although some of the largest homebuilders have adopted the standard, many have not. Some builders publish and use their own standard.

As a final note, be aware that owners and agents may not report the square footage of a home in the same way. Many real estate agents merely represent “total heated living area” and do not provide a complete breakdown of how living area is calculated leaving it up to the buyer or buyer agent to determine. A “breakdown” of living area is important because often times, there are quality differences between finished basements, finished attics, conversions, etc. and “above grade” finish. Appraisers, on the other hand, are usually more consistent in the reporting of “living area” due to secondary market (lending) guidelines that require them to distinguish between “above grade”, “below grade”, “converted areas”, and so forth.

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Traditional Style Home Plan 60110 | Total Living Area: 2066 | Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 3 | Garage Bays: 2 | Dimensions: 56′ Wide x 64’8 Deep

Traditional Style Home Plan 60110 is a great choice for new construction when you’re building a house for a large family. A covered rear porch, a bonus room over the garage and lots of storage will put this architectural design at the top of the list for your future home.

This home provides a very functional split-floor plan layout with many of the features that your family desires

• Expansive master bedroom / bath and plenty of storage space in the large master walk-in closet. Enjoy a whirlpool tub and separate shower.
• Large open floor plan with vaulted ceiling over the kitchen and great room.
• A fourth bedroom / bonus room is located above the garage with its own bathroom.
• Front and rear covered porches.
• Laundry Room with counter for folding clothes.
• Basement foundation option.

On the left side of the house, the 2 children’s bedrooms share the guest bathroom. This bathroom has a combined tub / shower and double vanity to help with getting ready quickly in the mornings.

Extra storage space in the garage leaves room for seasonal sports equipment or gardening supplies.

The main level is 1672 square feet of living space, and the upper level bonus area is 394 square feet of living space.

This home plan is a great value with a wide variety of innovative features. Make this your home today!

The post New 4 Bedroom Traditional Style Home Plan With Bonus Room appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.

European Style House Plan 82401 | Total Living Area: 3713 SQ FT | Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 3.5 | Dimensions: 78’6 Wide x 95’5 Deep | Garage: 4 Car

This wonderful open floor plan offers plenty of space, including a 4-car, side loading garage and an optional daylight basement for even more potential space.

The massive great room of this home features a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace, flanked by doors that lead to the large outdoor living/grilling porch.

The great room is also open to the breakfast room and kitchen that features a large eat-at island bar, a prep island bar, a large walk-in pantry and a butler’s pantry.

Beyond the butler’s pantry is the dining room with the front wall having arched windows to allow for maximum natural light.

The very spacious master suite boasts a corner fireplace and vaulted ceiling, further adding to the feel of space.

The master bath will spoil you with a raised corner whirlpool bath with a gas fireplace behind it, a large corner glass shower with a seat, and a giant walk-in closet.

Just down the hall is the large laundry room with extra features. Here you have room for a deep freezer for food storage. A pet shower is immediately accessible when you enter the side door.

Off of the foyer and great room is the office/media/theater with its front rounded wall of floor to ceiling windows, again, for maximum natural lighting.

Bedrooms 2, 3, and 4 are on the left side of the home with a Jack and Jill bath between bedrooms 2 and 3 and another bath next to bedroom 4.

The optional daylight basement would offer a huge game room, complete with a kitchen and a safe room, a huge storage/workout room, and access to the rear covered patio.

Click here to see the specifications and pricing for European House Plan 82401.

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French Country Home Plan With In-Law Suite 82488 has 5106 square feet of total living space, 6 bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms including an in-law suite with 686 square feet.

There is plenty of space for the whole family in this luxury multigenerational house plan.

The open floor plan design creates the perfect gathering area for friends and family where conversation and laughter can flow uninterrupted from the kitchen and breakfast room into the great room, all of which is accented by beautiful 10′ ceilings and foe timber beams.

On either side of the foyer you’ll find dual purpose rooms that can be used whichever way will best fit your family.

On the left is the formal dining room that can be used as a study if formal dining is not your style.

On the right is the beautiful office or study with the large rounded wall covered in windows.

Three large rooms are located behind the great room, each boasting an en-suit bathroom and walk-in closet.

Tucked away on the other side of the home is the spacious master suite with a huge walk-in closet and direct access to the outdoor living porch.

Upstairs you’ll find a game room and guest room allowing your visitors their own private space.

Attached to the home but separated by one of the garages is the in-law suite complete with a kitchen, den, spacious bedroom and bathroom with a stacked washer and dyer.

Click here to see the plan specifications and pricing for this luxurious French Country Style Home Plan with attached In-Law Suite.

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Craftsman Cottage Style House Plan 81248 | Total Living Area: 1912 SQ FT | Bedrooms: 3-4 | Bathrooms: 2.5 | Dimensions: 40′ Wide x 47′ Deep | Garage Bays: 2

When someone mentions the word cottage, the frequent assumption is that the home will be too confined for comfort. However, Craftsman Cottage Style House Plan 81248 is a cottage house that feels spacious. Think cozy, not cramped. You will see what we mean as we take an imaginative tour of the construction plans.

“Cottage” refers to a home of modest size, at least in the U.S. Appropriately, as we walk up, you will notice that the home does not take up too much space – its overall dimensions are 40 feet wide by 47 feet deep. Still, the home packs a host of wonderful features into a small footprint.

Three roof peaks add interest to the façade. On the left, a two car garage. On the right, a columned covered porch.

Right in the middle is the front door, which leads into the combined great room, dining and kitchen area. An open floor plan helps the communal living area feel expansive.

The kitchen is on the right, toward the front of the home. You might imagine washing dishes at the sink while keeping an eye on the young ones playing in the front yard. The U-shaped counters are extended on one side to create a convenient bar-level dining space. A built-in pantry helps keep the counters clutter-free.

The dining room, adjacent to the kitchen, has two large windows onto the side yard. It is open to the great room, which has sliding doors to a covered patio facing the backyard, and graced with a column. A corner fireplace adds elegance to the great room.

Directly opposite the dining room is a hallway leading past a convenient half-bath, the doorway to the garage and, at the end of the hall, a utility room with washer and dryer.

Finally, on the right side of this hallway is the vaulted master bedroom and bath, found in the left rear of the home. You will love the master bedroom with double doors, natural light and vaulted ceiling.

The bathroom suite here includes a walk-in shower, twin sinks and a large walk-in closet.

As we return to the great room and climb the stairs, you will appreciate that one side of this floor is open to the floor below, adding another layer of spaciousness.

The loft area at the top of the stairs here is open to the great room below. This would make a great office or guest room – or a fourth bedroom.

The other two bedrooms on this floor face the street, each with a generous closet and a large window.

This floor also contains a linen closet and a bath with a shower – tub.

They say good things come in small packages. This is certainly true. Cottage may describe this style, but it does not fully express how roomy it feels to its occupants.

If you are looking for a compact home that will be inexpensive to heat and friendly for the environment but still require an airy, flowing floor plan, this plan could be your best bet.

Click here to see the specifications and pricing for the construction plans for Craftsman Cottage Style House Plan 81248 at COOL House Plans.

The post 3-4 Bedroom Craftsman Cottage Style House Plan With 1912 SQ FT appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.

European Manor-Style House Plan 65233 has the look of a modest castle from Europe, but thankfully it’s available in a manageable scale with modern amenities! This English manor-style house has up to 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms in a total of 2281 square feet of living space. Keep reading for more details about this miniature castle home plan below:

A false balcony on the upper level lends a bit of nostalgia and romance to the front façade. Stone siding and a steeply-pitched roof puts us in mind of a medieval castle. Over the windows and doors, graceful arches add just the right amount of classic style.

Snow blankets the ground, and as you look up, a steady stream of smoke wafts from the chimney. It’s a promise of warmth and comfort inside. Standing under the glowing porch light on this frosty evening, you reach for the brass handle on the heavy set of double doors. Imagine if it was your manor house…the butler would be there to usher you inside!

The foyer is closed off from the main house to prevent the wintery wind from following you all the way inside. Here you have a convenient place to leave your boots and coat in the closet.

Once inside, comfortable rooms are strategically organized around a central staircase, thus minimizing hall space.

We first enter a vast family room adorned with a cathedral ceiling and warmed by a fireplace, an indispensable amenity in a room this size.

We step through to the kitchen which has a central cook-top lunch counter and a very original dining area with plenty of natural light.

An independent half-bath and a laundry room are always appreciated on this level.

Last, but not least, is a most enviable home office space occupying the turret at the front. This room can become your fourth bedroom / guest room if desired.

On the second level, we are charmed by three beautiful bedrooms. The very comfortable master suite boasts a very large walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom.

Two secondary bedrooms share a full bathroom of their own, an amenity most appreciated by families with teenagers.

Distinctive Elements:

• Abundant windows
• False balcony
• Home office (or 4th bedroom)
• Corner bath with dual sinks
• Cathedral ceiling in family room
• Built-ins
• Oversized garage
• Special ceiling treatments
• Closed foyer
• Powder room

Click here to see the plan specifications and pricing for European Manor-Style House Plan 65233 at COOL House Plans.

The post 3-4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath European Manor-Style House Plan With 2281 Square Feet appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.

Ranch Style House Plan with In-Law Suite 76572 | Total Living Area: 1948 SQ FT | Bedrooms: 2 | Bathrooms: 2.5 | Dimensions: 71′ Wide x 46′ Deep | Garage: 1 Car

Ranch Style House Plan With In-Law Suite is an intergenerational home with 1284 square feet for the main family living space and 664 square feet for the attached in-law living space. The exterior spaces of the two dwellings are opposite one another, thus allowing the occupants to experience daily privacy.

The main accommodation has all the elements required for a couple or a family looking for comfort: a garage, a large laundry room, a powder room, and all the common spaces are open concept and have 9’ ceilings.

The master bedroom also has a 9′ high ceiling and is set back from the common areas. It is a good size, and includes a walk-in closet with bench, as well as a large private bathroom with separate bath and shower and two sinks. In addition, the master bedroom has private and direct access to the large sheltered terrace at the back of the house.

The kitchen is open to the living room and dining room and adjacent to a large pantry. The door providing access to the in-law suite could also accommodate a decorative bench or simply a work table for those who wish.

The living room has a fireplace and space to install shelves on each side. Several windows are fitted therein bringing a beautiful natural light to this space. In addition, the living room also offers access to the private and sheltered terrace via patio doors or garden doors, at the owners’ convenience.

The daylight basement portion of the main accommodation can be converted into additional bedrooms, or else, according to the needs of the family. And the grandparent housing portion (unit # 2, in-law suite) offers a crawl space-type foundation.

The grandparents’ accommodation is open concept, offers 9′ ceilings throughout and is private thanks to its recessed access to the left. It offers a bedroom and a bathroom with stack washer and dryer.

In addition, the in-law suite kitchen has an island, a pantry and is open to the living room and dining room. A wardrobe is also positioned not far from the side entrance to store coats, umbrellas and boots. Finally, a large side gallery is covered and large enough to accommodate a few chairs.

Click here to see the plan specifications and pricing for this Ranch Style Home Plan with in-law suite at COOLhouseplans.com.

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Whether you live in the South or have massive land with breathtaking views, consider building a Southern house on your property. This historic style home has been around for centuries, but it’s still prevalent today because of its unmistakable features and versatile design. Living in a Southern home allows you to add a modern touch to a traditional architectural style while creating fun memories with your family.

We offer thousands of Southern home floor plans at COOL House Plans with unique features and customizable designs. To find your dream home, you can use the filters on our search engine to modify your options. Use this guide about the characteristics of a Southern house to help you figure out how to design your property.

What Is a Southern House?

A Southern house is a building that resembles the architecture from the American South before the Civil War. This home’s design kept the indoors cool in the harsh summer heat before air conditioning became available. Even though you could build your house on a small plot of land, a traditional Southern home is usually near a spacious field, allowing you to take in the views and enjoy a simple lifestyle.

Here are some of the standard features of a Southern house:

• Full-length windows: Southern homes include full-length arched windows that give you a front-row seat to the natural beauty around you. Since most Southern houses are symmetrical, the curved windows can add texture to your property. If you install windows that you can open, you can bring a fresh breeze into your living space to help control air circulation, especially on a hot summer day.
• Porches: Consider adding an open, wraparound porch to make better use of your outdoor property. This exterior addition allows you to entertain guests outside or put out a few chairs to admire the surrounding views. You may even want to set up an outdoor kitchen or fireplace near your porch to help with your next summer barbecue.
• French doors:Glass doors inside the home allow light to travel through your living space. Consider including French doors in your design, especially if you want to establish an open floor plan.
• High ceilings: A vaulted ceiling can control airflow and make the room feel more spacious. Since warm air rises, high ceilings can help keep the lower part of a room cooler. You may want a great room with a vaulted ceiling to provide a grand entrance to your home.
• Large entrance:A traditional Southern home’s entrance hall is where the master of the house greets the guests. Since the entryway is the first impression of your home, consider making a bold statement with a spiral staircase or a grand chandelier. Besides impressing your guests, a large entrance also provides better ventilation.
• Media rooms: In the 19th century, media rooms provided homeowners with a place to entertain guests in a private and comfortable setting. Since a traditional Southern home has plenty of space, you can turn your bonus room into an area to play games, watch movies or indulge in your favorite hobbies.
• Fireplaces: A fireplace used to be the only source of heat in a Southern home, but in your home, it can serve as the focal point to your great room.
• Open floor plan:A Southern house usually has an open floor plan that combines the living room, kitchen and dining room into one giant space to provide better ventilation and convenient entertainment.
• First-floor master suite: Even though you can have your master suite on the top floor, a Southern home design often features a spacious master suite on the first level that’s away from the other rooms in the house.

5 Benefits of Living in a Southern House

A Southern home encourages you and your family to adapt to a simpler lifestyle. Here are some ways this house style can be beneficial for you.

1. Plenty of Natural Light

If you design your home with traditional full-length windows, you can bring an abundance of natural light into your living space. Natural light reduces your need for light fixtures and lamps, allowing you to save money on your energy bills. The sunlight is also beneficial for your health, boosting your mood and giving you energy throughout the day. Your house will feel brighter and more spacious when you install large windows and give you convenient access to the beautiful views in your yard.

2. Healthy Air Circulation

Due to their location in a warm region, Southern homes often feature an open floor plan and architectural design that controls airflow and allows a consistent, fresh breeze. Even though this design accommodated the temperature before central air and heating, the benefits still exist for your modern home. Air circulation can reduce the wear and tear on your HVAC system, helping you save money on your monthly energy bills. A healthy airflow can also make your home more comfortable, especially for those with allergies or other respiratory conditions.

3. Versatile Design

With our custom options, you can modify your floor plan to accommodate your family and budget. The Southern home aesthetic features a flexible design that allows you to reflect your values and lifestyle to the world around you. Since you’re building a brand-new property, you have a blank canvas to make this home exactly what you want it to be. Whether you design it with uniquely colored siding, bold hardwood flooring or traditional furniture, the possibilities are endless for creating your ideal living space.

4. Use of Natural Materials

Since an authentic Southern home features neutral-colored wood or brick siding, you can give new life to recyclable materials. These eco-friendly products send fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere during the manufacturing process. They also tend to last a long time, so you won’t have to use as many resources to renovate your house in the future. Besides building your house with natural materials, you can also design your home with eco-friendly plants that can add color to your living space and boost your mood.

5. Ability to Adapt

When you build a new construction house, you probably plan to live in it for the next few decades. Consider how your life will look different in that timeframe to determine how to customize your property. As your family changes, you need a flexible living space that accommodates your loved ones throughout their lives. You may even want to grow old and retire in your new home. A Southern house has an adaptable floor plan to allow you to add or combine rooms as needed.

Types of Southern House Plans

At COOL House Plans, we have a wide selection of Southern house plans to help you find your dream home. Here are some of the different types we offer on our site:

• Country Southern house plans: A country Southern house tends to be small, but it has everything on the main level for convenient maintenance. Both the country and Southern aesthetics promote a more peaceful way of life and encourage you to admire the natural beauty around your property.
• Cottage Southern house plans: A cottage Southern house is often a cozy property with a versatile design. These two styles use symmetrical details and feature a private master suite on the first floor for convenient access.
• Craftsman Southern house plans:A Craftsman Southern house includes prominent architectural features that provide a dazzling first impression for your guests. Both the Craftsman and Southern aesthetics encourage you to include decorative details in the design.
• Cape Cod Southern house plans: A Cape Cod Southern house is a cozy abode with all the space you need for family gatherings and relaxing nights at home. The Cape Cod and Southern styles both feature symmetrical designs and gabled roofs.

3 Example Southern House Plans

If you’re still unsure about how you want your Southern home to look, here are three examples of the Southern house plans we offer on our site.

1. Traditional Southern House Plan

This traditional Southern country house measures 1,398 square feet, with three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage. All of your living space is on the same level, so it’s easier to clean and have all your family together in one area.

If you choose to enter through the front door from your porch, you’ll walk into the great room, kitchen and dining room. The dining room has a sliding glass door that opens into the backyard, providing a convenient flow for indoor and outdoor entertainment. The garage has a side entrance that allows you to save space on the design.

The pantry is next to the garage entrance, so you can conveniently stock it after bringing in your groceries. There are also lockers to create a mudroom and a utility closet. The master suite is past the pantry, with a spacious master bedroom, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a double-sink vanity and a shower. The other bedrooms are on the other side of the house, along with the second bathroom.

2. Southern Country House Plan

This Southern country house offers 1,611 square feet of space, including three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and a two-car garage. Since all of your living space is on one floor, it’s easy to maintain. You enter the home through the entryway door past the expansive covered porch, which is 10 feet deep and spans the whole front of your property. The great room features a ventless gas fireplace and a snack bar, and it leads into the kitchen and dining room, which opens up to the rear covered porch.

The double garage has a door that opens to the laundry room, next to the master suite. The master bath has a jetted tub and a custom shower, and the bedroom has a walk-in closet. The other two bedrooms are on the other side of the house, and they share a bathroom.

3. Southern Farmhouse House Plan

This Southern farmhouse is 2,201 square feet, and it includes three bedrooms, two full baths, one half bath and a side two-car or three-car garage, depending on your need for space. The home has two levels, but most of the bedrooms and entertainment areas are on the main floor. As you walk up the steps into your new home, you’ll notice a front porch before walking in through the entry door.

The great room has a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and built-in shelves on either side of it. Beyond this part of the house, the kitchen and dining room feature a door that gives you access to your rear porch. You’ll notice a pantry next to the stairs that lead up to the second level to the left of the great room. The hallway also features a powder room and an entry for the garage, with lockers to create a mudroom. There’s also a laundry room next to the garage entry.

The master suite is on the left side, with a trayed ceiling in the bedroom. The bathroom has a shower, tub and double-sink vanity. There’s also a walk-in closet that leads into the laundry room for convenient access. Two bedrooms and the second full bath are on the right side. On the second floor, over the garage, you’ll find a bonus room with a closet and a future bathroom.

FAQ About Southern Houses

If you’d like more information about building a Southern home on your property, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:

• What are Southern houses made of? Most of the time, Southern homes feature natural materials, such as neutral-colored brick or wood siding, on the house’s exterior. Inside the home, you may want to use wood flooring, granite or marble tiles, which are also eco-friendly and recyclable.
• Are Southern houses expensive to build?Compared to other styles, Southern homes aren’t costly to construct. Since they offer a versatile design, you can make your custom property with features that accommodate your budget and lifestyle.
• Do Southern houses have basements? Traditionally, Southern homes don’t have basements because of the damp soil typical in the South. However, with our customization options, you could add a basement to your new construction home. This additional living area gives you more space for storage, entertaining guests, bedrooms or bathrooms. We offer more than a thousand Southern house plans with a basement.
• How much does it cost to build Southern-style houses?Due to their versatile design, it’s challenging to say precisely how much building a Southern house would cost. Several factors — including where you live and how big you want your home to be — will affect your property’s overall price. You’d have to pay for a plot of land and the materials to build the house. Keep in mind that any custom options will also increase the price.

Search for Your Southern House Plan

With thousands of Southern house floor plans for you to browse, we’re confident that you’ll find your dream home on the COOL House Plans website. Even if you can’t find what you want, you work with our designers to modify any plan by adding or changing a room. Please take a look at the blueprints we have to offer to get started on making your dream home a reality.

The post A Guide to Southern House Plans appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.

If you want an elaborate property with enough space for your whole family, consider building a colonial house. At COOL House Plans, we offer various colonial-style floor plans. Our easy-to-use search engine allows you to find your dream home based on filters such as minimum or maximum square footage, number of garage bays, and other unique features. This guide includes the characteristics and benefits of a colonial-style house to help you decide if it’s suitable for you and your family.

What Is a Colonial House?

A colonial house is a property that reflects the style of homes the European colonists built in the 17th century. As a result of these colonists’ cultural and national backgrounds, these structures feature architectural details that were common in their homelands.

• Two stories: A traditional colonial-style house features two or more levels. The common areas — living room, dining room, and kitchen — are usually on the main level, while the bedrooms are on the second floor.
• Symmetrical design: A colonial home’s floor plan is similar on either side. The front door is at the center of the house’s exterior, with multi-paned windows surrounding it. Inside, the staircase is near the entrance, and there is the same number of rooms on each side. Usually, the living room and dining room are in the front, and the kitchen and family room area in the rear.
• Pitched roofs: A colonial-style home often has a high-peaked roof to help snow and water slope into your gutters. This architectural style typically includes a gambrel roof, a two-sided design with a shallow slope above a steep one.
• Multi-paned dormer windows: A colonial house has small dormer windows in a symmetrical design, giving your property a grid-like appearance. You’ll find at least one window on either side of the entry door and several windows on the house’s second level.
• Wood or stone siding: When the colonists first built their houses, they only had access to the resources around them. New England colonial homes usually have wood siding, while those in Long Island and the Hudson Valley have brick or stone siding. You may want to build your property with local, natural materials to save money and make it authentic.
• Decorative entryway: Since the front door is at the center of the house, you might want to include an eye-catching design around it. You could set up an entrance with bold pillars to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
• Fireplaces: A colonial home has at least one fireplace in the living room, but you may find a second one somewhere else on the property. Before HVAC systems were available, a fireplace was the only source of heat for homeowners. Today, you can have a fireplace to provide a cozy focal point for your living room.

5 Benefits of Living in a Colonial House

If you like the features of a colonial-style house, consider the following benefits of living in one to find out how this property can add value to your lifestyle.

1. Design It How You Want

As the colonial house aesthetic has evolved over the years, it’s led to more flexibility in design standards. The interior’s symmetry gives you the freedom to use geometric patterns and bold colors to enhance the structured lines throughout your property. You can decorate with a minimalist, modern, or traditional style, depending on your preferences. With all the modern amenities available to you, you can enjoy your historic-style home while creating a convenient living space for you and your family.

2. Entertain All Your Guests

Since the rooms are all separate, you can easily create space for entertaining. You need enough room for your family and friends, whether you plan on hosting the holidays or spending lazy weekends together at home. Most of the time, a colonial house’s main level is shared space, while the upstairs features all your bedrooms.

With this defined space, you can use the entire first floor for entertaining guests. You could even make one of your spare bedrooms a guest room so your loved ones can stay overnight as needed.

3. Have Plenty of Space

Traditional colonial homes had to have enough space for the colonists’ large families. Even though family sizes aren’t the same as in the 17th century, modern colonial houses take up many square feet. We offer a colonial house plan that has more than 11,000 square feet. If you have a spacious plot of land, you can build a sprawling home on your property. Even if you have a narrow lot, you can add floors to your house, making it taller instead of wider.

4. Expand as Needed

If you invest in a rectangular floor plan, it’s convenient to expand your home if you ever need more space in the future. As your family grows and changes, you should have a flexible house that can accommodate your lifestyle. You can also add another level to the home if you run out of room in your yard or make better use of your outside property by adding a porch or patio. The symmetrical design allows you to build onto your living space without interrupting the overall flow.

5. Enhance Your Curb Appeal

The original colonists carried their bold architectural style with them from their homelands. A traditional colonial-style home has an eye-catching appearance with striking columns and architectural symmetry that’ll increase your curb appeal and make your property unique. The investment you make in designing your house today could add value to it in the future, especially when you want to sell it. If you use durable natural materials, such as wood or stone, you can maintain your siding without needing to replace it soon.

Types of Colonial House Plans

Besides a typical colonial-style house, you could also add some elements to your floor plan from other architectural styles. Here are some of the types we offer on our site.

• Traditional colonial house plans: A traditional colonial-style home has a high-pitched roof and the entry door at the center of the house’s exterior. This aesthetic features an asymmetrical structure to give your property a unique appearance. Since the traditional house plan doesn’t have specific characteristics, it blends old and new elements, allowing you to have flexibility in your design.
• Country colonial house plans: A colonial country property has a high-pitched roof and a grand entrance. Combining New England’s regality and the South’s rural charm, you can build your property with natural materials that enhance the beauty surrounding it. This design aesthetic also features symmetrical lines and a door at the center of the house’s exterior.
• Southern colonial house plans: A Southern colonial home features prominent architectural details that can improve your property’s curb appeal. Like the colonial architectural style, a Southern house also has columns and a grand entrance. However, it also includes an asymmetrical design with full-length windows to make your home unique and aesthetically pleasing.
• Colonial ranch house plans: A colonial ranch is usually one story, but it shares the colonial’s ornate, symmetrical design. This floor plan has smaller windows and a high-pitched roof to reflect both the ranch and colonial aesthetic.
• One-story colonial house plans: Even though a colonial is usually two stories, you can also build a one-story colonial house to have all your rooms on the same level. Keep in mind that this style tends to be more expensive because you’d need a more extensive foundation, but if you decide to build your house over a basement, you’ll have plenty of entertainment space on the lower level.

3 Examples of Colonial House Plans

If you’re interested in building a colonial-style home, here are some floor plans we offer.

1. Traditional-Style House Plan

This traditional colonial home is 1,870 square feet, and it includes three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a half-bath. Since it’s only one floor, all the rooms are on the same level, but the property will take up more space on your plot of land. You could watch the video we’ve provided beneath the blueprints for a visual tour of this floor plan.

When you first arrive at the house, walk up the covered front porch into the great room with a raised ceiling. The kitchen and eating areas are on the other side of the house, with a door that leads outside to the rear covered porch. The master bedroom is on the right end of the property, featuring a spacious bathroom with a jetted tub, shower, two vanities with sinks, and a walk-in closet.

Outside the master bedroom, there’s a half-bath your guests can use, followed by a spacious laundry room and a flex space for entertainment or an office. The other bedrooms are on the left side of the house, and they share a bathroom. Since this property is rectangular, you have space to expand as needed.

2. Southern Style Garage-Living Plan

This Southern colonial garage house is a humble 732 square feet over two stories, with a three-car garage on the ground level. Above the garage, there’s one bedroom and a three-quarter bathroom. After you park your vehicle in your three-car garage, you’ll notice a spacious storage closet next to the entry to your house. There’s also an exit door to access your rear porch. If you’d prefer that your guests don’t enter through the garage, they can use the entry door outside.

When you walk up the stairs, you can put your coat and shoes in your closet. The washer/dryer is next to the coat closet, followed by the dining room with a wide window overlooking your backyard. The kitchen is on the left, with a spacious pantry that includes built-in shelves. The family room flows out from the dining room. The bedroom has the only bathroom, but if you want to allow your guests to use it, they can access it through a separate door. There’s also a spacious walk-in closet in the bedroom.

3. Southern-Style House Plan

This Southern colonial home features 1,277 square feet, including three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a half bathroom. All the bedrooms are on the second floor to give you more space for entertaining on the main level. The first impression of your new home is a spacious, grand front porch. When you walk in through the front door on the house’s right front side, a small foyer meets you before you go up the stairs.

The living room is to the left of the foyer, with a fireplace as the focal point of the room. This space leads to an expansive kitchen and dining room, with the half-bath tucked out of the way for guests to use. On the second floor, there’s a bathroom at the top of the stairs. The main bedroom has a balcony and a full bathroom. After walking past the washer and dryer, you’ll notice the second and third bedrooms, each with double windows.

FAQs About Colonial Houses

If you’re still unsure whether a colonial-style home is suitable for your lifestyle, here are the answers to some questions you may have.

• What makes a house colonial? An authentic colonial reflects the architectural features of homes from 17th-century New England. These houses usually have European elements, such as large columns, symmetrical design, a high-pitched roof, and a two-story layout.
• What is the most common colonial-style house? The most typical colonial-style house is the British or English colonial because America was a British colony for several centuries. As a result of the countries represented by the various settlers in this country, we have a few different colonial home styles available for design inspiration. Besides the British colonial, there’s also the Dutch, French, Spanish, and German colonial styles.
• Are colonial houses mansions? Traditionally, a colonial house is often a mansion because of its ornate details and spacious rooms. Its historical beauty can enhance your curb appeal and provide your guests with an eye-catching first impression. However, since this style has a versatile design, you could also construct a small colonial if you have a limited budget or narrow lot.
• Do colonial houses have basements? Most colonial houses have basements to make the most of your vertical space instead of taking up room from your yard. If you build your home with an unfinished basement, you can save money and give yourself a project to plan when you have a larger budget in the future. Explore our colonial house plans with a basement to find one that’s suitable for your lifestyle.
• Are colonial houses expensive to build? Compared to other house styles, a colonial house can be more costly because of its ornate details and luxurious touches. However, with a customizable house from COOL House Plans, you can find a colonial-style home that accommodates your budget. The size, building materials, and property location can affect its price.

Search Colonial House Plans

At COOL House Plans, we offer thousands of colonial-style floor plans to help you find your dream home. Even if you don’t see a blueprint with your exact specifications, you can work with one of our designers to modify it. Feel free to browse through our colonial house plans to start building your dream property today.

The post A Guide to Colonial House Plans appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.

Whether you need extra space to store your vehicles or an additional living area for guests, consider building a barn garage. At COOL House Plans, we offer various barn building plans to help you find the most suitable unit for your lifestyle. You can use our search engine’s filters to find a blueprint with your desired square footage, garage bays and design aesthetic. Use this guide to discover how a barn garage can add value to your property.

What Is a Barn Garage?

A barn garage is a structure where you can store your vehicles. It often has a level above it for additional storage or living space. Here are some of the standard features of a barn garage.

• Large loft: A barn garage usually has a loft above the garage to store farm equipment or create a studio apartment. Barn owners traditionally used this space to store hay or provide a living area for their farm or ranch hands.
• Gambrel roof: An elevated gambrel roof offers enough space for you to park a large vehicle and store other equipment. This roof style features shingles on either side of the barn, with a shallow slope above a steep one. When looking at the barn, you’d only see the roof’s shingles on the sides. The sharp pitch allows rain and snow to flow off the sides instead of pooling on top.
• Large plot of land: You’ll usually find a barn garage on a large piece of property. This garage style is popular in farming areas because it provides a convenient place to store equipment and animals.
• The number of garage bays: As you design a barn garage, you can add as many garage bays as you want. We offer plans that can accommodate up to six vehicles. Even if you don’t have that many cars on your property, you could use a three-car garage to store your yard or garden equipment.
• Slab foundation: A barn garage goes on top of a slab foundation instead of a basement or crawlspace. The slab is thick concrete that can withstand pressure from your vehicle. Instead of having storage space on the lower level like you would have with a basement, you can add square footage to your house by building up.

5 Benefits of Barn Garages

Here are some of the ways a barn garage can add value to your property and lifestyle.

1. Save Time During the Construction Process

Since a barn garage is easy to construct, you could set it up on your property in a matter of weeks. Unless you want to create an all-new custom design, most contractors have a prefabricated kit that they construct on-site when you’re ready to use it. If you have enough experience, you may even be able to build it without hiring a contractor. A barn garage usually goes on a slab foundation instead of a basement or crawlspace, saving you time and money on the construction.

2. Protect Your Vehicle From Potential Damage

Like a regular garage, a barn garage is a safe place to store your vehicle. You can protect your property from harsh weather conditions, vandalism, theft and accidents. Parking your car in a detached garage with a stable roof protects it from rain, snow and other falling debris, so you won’t have to clean your vehicle as often. Since it’s in a protected enclosure with a lock, you’re also less likely to have someone try to steal or damage your car.

3. Build Affordable Housing for Family or Tenants

You could use the additional storage in your garage to create an accessory dwelling unit to host a family member or rent out for extra income each month. The apartment can go on top of your garage, but if you don’t need to hold that many vehicles, you could also make a living space out of the lower level with plumbing and electricity. Explore our building plans to find a property that has enough space for you to make an apartment.

4. Have Plenty of Storage and Accessory Space

A barn-style garage gives you space to work on your personal and professional hobbies. Here are some ways you can take advantage of your property’s spacious square footage.

• Workshop: If you have a hobby that’s challenging to do in your main house, consider setting up a workspace above your garage. You could also use a garage with multiple bays to store your cars and work on your projects on the lower level.
• Apartment: You may want to put an apartment above your spacious garage, complete with a kitchen and bathroom. Set up your second-floor living area with electricity and plumbing, so your guests or family have everything they need.
• Animal stalls: Besides storing your cars, you could also keep your horses and other animals in your barn garage. Our plans include barns with plenty of ventilation, so your livestock can survive and get all the nourishment they need.
• Tack room: Some of our floor plans come with a designated tack room for storing your riding equipment in your barn garage.
• Feed room: You could also store your animal feed in your barn garage. Some of our floor plans have a specialized feed room, so you can conveniently access the food you need.
• Hay storage: The large overhead loft allows you to have enough space for hay bales and still be able to park cars in the garage. 

5. Invest in a Long-Lasting Structure

After spending thousands of dollars on your new property, the durable building materials you use should last as long as possible. Most barn garages are metal, which can withstand most harsh weather conditions, including wind, excess moisture and even fire. Besides cleaning debris from the siding, this structure doesn’t require much maintenance to keep it in excellent condition. When you use high-quality materials on your new property, it can last several decades before you need to repair or replace it.

Types of Barn Garages

Even though you might have only seen traditional red wooden barns, we offer various other styles to complement your home’s design aesthetic. Here are some of the barn plans we offer.

• Country Craftsman barn garage plans: A country Craftsman barn garage features a combination of eye-catching artisanal design and elegant rural charm. As you create your Craftsman garage, make it a representation of your one-of-a-kind style.
• Contemporary barn garage plans: To complement your contemporary-style home, consider building a modern farmhouse barn garage that features natural materials, an asymmetrical design and geometric shapes.
• Southern barn garage plans: You might like the classic, straightforward design of a Southern barn garage. Install bypass sliding garage and entry doors to accommodate your charming Southern lifestyle.
• Traditional farmhouse barn garage plans: If you prefer the familiar red, wooden design, we offer traditional farmhouse barn garage plans for your spacious farmland. These structures have enough room to store your vehicle, animal feed and riding equipment.

3 Examples of Barn Garage Plans

If you’re considering building a barn garage on your property, here are three specific examples of barn garage plans to help inspire your design.

1. Farmhouse-Style Garage-Living Plan

This contemporary farmhouse-style garage features 1,901 square feet, including a living area on the second level with two bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Once you park in the two-car garage, you’ll notice the necessary utilities for making this space functional — the water heater, furnace and washer/dryer. There’s also an exit door to a covered area in the backyard. To get into the central part of the house, you walk through the right side.

Besides the garage area, there’s also an office, storage space and bathroom on the lower level. Walk up the stairs to access the rest of the living space. The master suite is at the top of the stairs, with a bathroom and a spacious closet. The second bedroom is across the hall, and it has a guest bathroom. The great room, kitchen and dining area are on the property’s left side, with a pantry for storing food. A balcony in the great room overlooks the covered deck.

2. Two-Car Garage Apartment Plan 

This simple garage plan is a humble 431 square feet, and it has a second floor with plenty of space to make an apartment as needed. The lower level contains a two-car garage and two rooms for designated storage. When you walk up the stairs, you have 264 square feet for a kitchen, bathroom and linen closet. You could also turn the whole place into an office or a playroom, depending on your family’s needs. If you convert it into an apartment, ensure it has electricity and plumbing.

3. Farmhouse-Style Two-Car Garage Plan

This country farmhouse garage measures 591 square feet with a 106-square-foot bonus area. There’s enough space for two vehicles, but it features a single two-car garage door instead of two one-car garage doors. There’s only one level to this plan, making it easier to maintain. You can park in your two-car garage and work in your shop that comes with a built-in workbench. If you’re going in from the outside, you can enter through the covered porch into the entry door.

FAQs About Barn Garages

If you’re still unsure whether you should build a barn garage on your property, here are the answers to some of the questions you may have.

1. How Much Do Barn Garages Cost to Build?

Are barn garages cheaper than regular garages? They can be less expensive than standard ones because they are often easy to build on your own. However, if you want a completely custom design, you may end up paying more money. A barn construction’s price depends on several factors.

• Location: Before building your new barn garage, the contractor needs to prepare the site by removing trees and leveling the land. If you live in a remote area, you may have to pay more money to have materials shipped to your property.
• Siding material: The material you choose for your siding will determine its aesthetic appeal and durability. Wood siding tends to be more affordable than aluminum, but metal also lasts longer, so you’ll save money on future replacements.
• Building insulation: If you want to use your barn garage for anything other than parking your car, consider adding insulation to regulate the temperature and reduce energy costs. Contractors charge for insulation by R-value and square feet. Insulation with a higher R-value may cost more money, but it can help keep your indoor living space more comfortable.
• Floors: Since you’re building your property on a concrete slab, your lower level will have concrete flooring. This material is durable to withstand your vehicle’s weight. If you want to turn the upper level into a living area, you may want to install a more aesthetically pleasing material, such as wood or laminate. You’ll typically have to pay per square foot for your flooring.
• Loft apartment: If you want to have a larger space, you’ll have to pay more for additional materials and labor than you would for a simple one-car garage. To make a loft apartment on your property, you’ll need to install insulation, electricity, plumbing, windows, drywall and a staircase, all of which come at a price.
• Adding a door and windows: Even if you don’t want to create an apartment within your barn garage, you can add doors and windows to bring in natural light and provide better ventilation for your property. Including doors and windows in your new construction floor plan is more convenient and cost-effective than drilling into your wall later to make space for them.
• Painting: Adding a fresh coat of paint to your wood or metal siding can enhance its appearance. Painting wood siding costs more money than metal siding. Besides the price of the color, you’ll also need to pay a professional painter.
• Permits: Depending on how you want to use your barn garage, you need to acquire specific licenses from your local building department. If you plan to make a living space out of your garage with electricity and plumbing, you may need to comply with stricter regulations to ensure your property is up to code. A licensed and insured contractor should know what permits you need and how much they’ll cost.

2. What Are Barn Garages Made Of?

Barn garages traditionally have wood or stone siding, but modern designs feature metal. This durable material can withstand harsh weather conditions and temperature changes. You could even paint or stain it to look like natural wood and other visually appealing elements. Even though barn garages with wood and stone siding aren’t as prevalent anymore, you may want to consider them if you have wood or stone siding on your primary residence. Besides the metal siding, the framing contains high-quality, waterproof lumber.

Search Barn Garage Plans

When you’re ready to build a barn garage onto your property for more storage and recreational space, check out our barn garage building plans. At COOL House Plans, we have a wide selection of unique barn style garages to help you find the best one for your lifestyle. We can also modify any design you see that doesn’t match your specific preferences. Please browse through our blueprints and order one to get started on your new construction today.

The post A Guide to Barn Garage Plans appeared first on COOLhouseplans Blog.